At the foot of El Paso's Scenic Drive that winds its way upand around the terminus of the city's Franklin Mountains.
Anyone who's been reading this blog since last May remembers the ciclovia El Paso tried that month. Closing several streets to auto traffic, they were opened up to the public to walk, hike and bike sans worry of traffic. It was a great idea that quickly gained popularity among the public. It was not uncommon to see families, some with children in strollers, walking over the city's Scenic Drive. Some jogging, some with the family dog. Editor Sam and I walked it all four of those Sundays.
Due to its success, we just recently learned the city has decided to return ciclovia again this year, but instead of a one month run, Scenic Drive will be closed every Sunday from 0600 - 1200 through the end of August!
Tomorrow is the kick-off of the first of five months of a great way to get out and get some exercise almost effortlessly while meeting and enjoying others doing the same!
13 comments:
Enjoy the walk, run, bike ride on a carless scenic drive. What a great idea.
Here is a reference to the Ballad film: http://www.emanuellevy.com/article.php?articleID=1040.
A true story first noted in song, later in a book, and, finally, in a film in 1982. One of the best films on losing something in a translation from one language to another, in this case Spanish to English and back again by someone not thoroughly fluent in Spanish. I'm sure HD and I could tell some stories about trying our level best to communicate with someone in Spanish only to be told by our espouses how badly we missed the true meaning of our words. Once or twice it has been rather embarrassing; but, I keep trying because most of the time I'm rewarded for at least trying by Spanish speaking family, friends, and acquaintances. Chime right in here, HD.
Again, Dada, enjoy your time on the scenic route around El Paso.
See, living proof of goofing in another language: It's "esposas."
Dada: now we know where you & Sam will be on Sundays!
Eprof: I've found the use of much gesticulation to be very effective, even mandatory, in my efforts of comunicación en español. Sadly, mi esposo can only help if we're spreken sie Deutsche. I've made some doozies of mistakes, including one embarrassing misuse of "clam". 'nuff said.
Since y'all were talking tejas flicks, I wonder if "Cabeza de Vaca" makes anyone's list? I saw it on late night TV years ago, but never forgot the imagery. Later I found out why the supposed Florida scenery looked so arid. Much of it was filmed in TX/NM, which is the route de Vaca took, possibly crossing the RG at EP! Why the movie felt compelled to pass this off as Florida, I don't know. If you're interested in reading more about de Vaca, here's a well researched site:
http://alkek.library.txstate.edu/swwc/cdv/
ps, I really liked The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez, too. Of course I was slightly batty over Edward James Olmos at the time. I always thought he was the best part of Miami Vice. Hope you can find it, Dada. Without wrecking the plot, the idea of mistranslation is key.
I've avoided "All the Pretty Horses", but since EProf & Sr HDooty are recommending it, I'll watch for it & give it a go. Matt Damon is generally not my cuppa. Oh! but I see Sam Shepard and even Ruben Blades are in it, so now I'm more interested.
eprof2 and Dada,
Sr Horsedooty continually has his "pie en su boca". Generally, I don't attempt to speak Spanglish when "mi esposa encantadora" is near. I get these shooting dagger looks from her.
Once is enough for me.
So, did all y'all read the Cormac McCarthy trilogy with All The Pretty Horses and The Crossing and Cities of the Plain?
I have heard some talk that he might have written the last book first then wrote the others to fill in the story. Any thoughts on this or were the people way off target?
Adios para ahora mis amigos!
Yo soy un demócrata amarillo del perro.
Yo soy Horsedooty!
ps is there something wrong with being un demócrata amarillo del perro on this blog? curioso es todo.
h\d
hahaha, Sr HDooty, I can't speak for Dada, but I think ALL perros are good! Up here in UT, we have the Blue Dog Dems which I assume are similar to the amarillo variety, except they can blend in with the sky, which is where they are generally to be found when a dem quorum is required.
d.k. raed,
if you don't know a "yellow dog democrat is defined as someone who would vote for a yellow dog before voting for a republican.
a Blue dog is a take off on the Yellow Dog name. Here is a good explanation of Blue Dog Democrats.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Dog_Coalition
Adios para ahora mis amigos!
Yo soy un demócrata amarillo del perro.
Yo soy Horsedooty!
HD, thanks, that was enlightening. I see of the current blue dog dems, there are none from TX, however one from TX finally made the complete switch to repub (hence he is still in office). I also learned since 2001, they are increasingly referred to as Bush Dog Dems, since they pretty much support bush's agenda.
In my area, blue dog dems are the only dems that get elected. If it wasn't for Rocky Anderson (former SLC mayor), UT would probably be devoid of lib dems.
Wiki says the term yellow dog originated from an indigenous yellow canine that lived in the swamps of the carolinas? hmmm....
When comparing most politicians or a political agenda to dogs of any breed or color, I would tend to vote for the dog, myself.
yeah, dang few Dems from Tx these days however, with swell guys like the bug exterminator (tom delay) the Dems are starting to make some headway back into Washington again.
Spring makes one's thoughts turn to getting rid of scum like that. :)
Adios para ahora mis amigos!
Yo soy un demócrata amarillo del perro.
Yo soy Horsedooty!
Ah, eprof: thanks for that 'goofing in another language' example.
As a work-study student at UTEP in the 70's, I worked with the full time regulars in ground maintenance 16-20 hours per week.
One of them had a strong love for interplay between Eng and Span. One example I still remember was, "Yo quiero ver gotas" ("I want to see drops" as in wishing for rain maybe) which had a very different meaning if one didn't take time to pause between the "ver" and the "gotas."
From that I learned to never get cocky (whoops, no pun intended!) with my Spanish. In fact, I don't think I ever spoke to a Juarez policeman in my lousy Spanish ever again after that.
That's too funny, Dada! While not as riskque, I almost always answered the question, Como estas? with Bueno. The right answer is Bien, because in Mexico, according to one of my close Mexican friends, Bueno means you're really good in a sexual sort of way instead of merely I'm good or well thank you.
HD, tu esposa is probably looking at you and grinning had she seen your entry above, "pie en su boca," as you were saying foot in her mouth instead of mi boca. It's great that we all can relate. Translations are very tricky, indeed.
so....eprof, I'm now wondering why phone calls are answered with "bueno"? might be conveying more info than intended!
The first conversation I learned in HS spanish was "Como esta?" "Estoy bien, gracias, y usted?" (sorry no accents on my keyboard). No one ever mentioned "bueno" in that context. And you can bet I won't be making that mistake, now that you've pointed it out!
ps, I think HD was correct with "su boca" since he was speaking in 3rd person, it would mean "his mouth". but I could be wrong since I don't get much practice.
I suspect either is correct d.k. but the pronouns or whatever they are called nearly always get me.
but I am wrong so often I hardly notice any more :)
I can never get the "por and para" usage correct either. I need to go look up the directions again for that and commit them to memory.
Adios para ahora mis amigos!
Yo soy un demócrata amarillo del perro.
Yo soy Horsedooty!
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